The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that the commission has been responsible for paying the salary of Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle, dismissing claims that the Nigeria Football Federation owes the coach months of unpaid wages.

Recent reports had suggested that Chelle was owed three months’ salary, sparking fresh debate around the funding of Nigeria’s national teams. Dikko, however, described those claims as misleading and unfair, accusing sections of the sporting media of spreading false information.

Speaking on Arise Television’s breakfast programme, Day Break, Dikko explained that the arrangement is part of the NSC’s broader support for the NFF, even though the commission is not directly involved in Chelle’s contract.

“The NSC have been paying the salaries of Eric Chelle on behalf of the NFF even though we’re not a party to the contract. This is part of our support to the NFF,” Dikko said.

Chelle, who was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025, has been tasked with steadying the national team and guiding it through a demanding international schedule amid heightened expectations from fans.

Meanwhile, preparations continue in earnest as the Super Eagles camp begins to fill up in Cairo. Defender Zaidu Sanusi was the latest arrival, taking the number of players in camp to 11.

Those already present include Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Akinsanmiro Ebenezer, Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igho Ogbu, Tochukwu Nnadi and Zaidu Sanusi.